Process Lab: Citizen Design

GRAY AREA

• Designed by Interface Studio Architects

• communication
• cultural preservation
• community
• save

Despite decades of job and population loss, Philadelphia’s significant assets—established communities, strong cultural heritage, and historic architecture—remain. Seeking to reposition historic preservation within the city, the GRAY AREA project explores new ways for old buildings to support the future of neighborhoods. The GRAY AREA card deck encourages community stakeholders to think creatively about preservation challenges, prompting users to learn about and discuss local history, identify and share closely held values, and brainstorm possible uses, programs, and design interventions.

Installation And Data Visualization, Process Lab: Citizen Design

In Process Lab: Citizen Design, visitors participate in the design process and are encouraged to envision a better America and greater world. Through a series of questions and choices, visitors are asked to consider what they and their communities care about, define an issue that matters, and utilize design tactics to devise design projects that can make a difference. The digital interaction in Citizen Design invites participants to use their Pens to record their design processes. By capturing the selections they made with their Pens and downloading the data into a station in the lab, participants and others can see—through data visualization—where their choices fall within the community of the other participants. When participants visit their accounts after leaving Cooper Hewitt, the Citizen Design data visualization continues to update and reflects the most current community data. Days or months later, users will see what percentage of people made their same choices, sharing common values through design thinking.

Collection Of Three Sets Of Graphic Cards, Citizen Design Values, Questions, and Tactics

• Designed by Interface Studio Architects

A deck of 12 value nametags, 12 question worksheets, and 36 design tactic cards suggest methods through which to consider implementing change through design. Be a citizen designer! 1) Use 12 value nametags to identify what matters to you and your community. 2) Respond to 1 of 12 design questions to address important issues, incorporating established values. 3) 36 design tactic cards suggest methods through which to consider creating change through design.

Humane Borders—Process Lab

• Designed by Humane Borders

Value: Hello! We Care About: Saving Lives Question: How might we place water in strategic locations in the desert to save the most lives? Design Tactics: Posters that warn potential migrants of the danger of crossing the border. Thirty foot flags for easy sighting. Water stations located where migrants were known to have died.

Future Cycles—Process Lab

• Designed by The Future People

Value: Hello! We Care About: Demonstrating Alternative Transportation Question: How might we challenge American car culture to consider alternative options for transportation? Design Tactics: Bicycle + Moped = Low cost, highly efficient and easy to repair transportation option

OPEN HOUSE—Process Lab

• Designed by Matthew Mazzotta

Value: Hello! We Care About: Creating Inclusive Community Spaces Question: How might we transform a blighted property into an asset for our small town? Design Tactics: "If people can sit together, they can dream together." —Matthew Mazzotta